Another favorite little treasure that I found this summer is a leather envelope for my handbag. The ones in this photo are from The Daily Planner, which is a cool website to browse, but I found my envelope at TJMaxx. I think it cost about $7. I use it for receipts that I need to keep, for business cards, really it's great for just not having things loose in your bag. I have a nifty red leather tape measure, which I also keep in my envelope. I was looking for a green envelope because I thought it would be easier to spot, but I ended up with a pink one because, well, you know how it is at TJMaxx.
Finally, while on a quest for a very obscure AP required summer reading book for Big (of course, it was two days before school started, so it's possible the book was less obscure in June!), I found this pocket calendar/planner at Barnes and Noble. (I am not one of those folks who can keep all her life on her phone.) It is an 18-month calendar with lots of notepaper for lists in the back as well. It comes in lots of colors. I got pink, what can I say? I was on a roll. I'm checking dates for a shopping expedition early next month. I am going to have all my Christmas shopping finished by Halloween. Well, all the mandatory shopping anyway. Really, I am.
In addition to delivering the fashion and beauty trends for Fall 2009, this gigantic issue includes an interview with South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford. Mrs. Sanford has been recognized as demonstrating amazing grace under extremely sad and sordid circumstances. Informed by her strong Christian faith, her character and her responses to her husband's infidelity and indiscretion have been without peer, and she has received an outpouring of support, and yet . . . . it seems that some folks are up in arms that Jenny Sanford would give an interview to Vogue as opposed to one of South Carolina's newspapers or perhaps, a news magazine or even a more "traditional" magazine like Good Housekeeping. To these naysayers, I say, "Oh, be quiet." In the Vogue interview, Mrs. Sanford continues to take the high road, and, yes, she looks great. She got to wear terrific clothes and have her hair and make-up styled by a reknown stylist, and I say "Good for her!" And, really, what a great platform for her to share her willingness to forgive with her resolute insistence on accountability and responsibility to her children.
On the lighter side, I finally made a visit to our neighborhood Lilly Pulitzer shop. I have loved Lilly for years, but never really felt I could afford to indulge in those sherbet prints. The 75% Off sign in the window was definitely a draw! It was a cute, cute shop with so many fun paper and accessory items! You know that is my weakness--Mr. T & C is mystified by my love for cocktail napkins especially. Anyway I did splurge on a clearance robe and a needlepoint key fob, which features fish! 
k I looked okay. Mr. T & C said I looked beautiful under the Museum lights, which is sort of a funny compliment but I imagine it's accurate. Regrettably, both of us were a bit underdressed. I think I was thinking we were still in Florida, where we would have been a bit overdressed. I wore elegant wide-legged black slacks and a classic white linen sleeveless blouse with a mandarin collar, accented with a black enamel and silver necklace and earrings. Mr. T & C wore a cadet blue golf shirt and pressed khaki slacks, which I chose and delivered to him to wear. He was the only man there not wearing a sport coat! To his great credit, he was a trooper, held his head high, and did not berate me for such a faux pas. I was very proud of him. Most of the ladies were wearing lovely shifts and great heels. I saw a couple of glitzy outfits, but they looked a little "trying to hard." Here's the thing, though, the art was amazing! I almost had forgotten how much I enjoyed looking at it and talking about it. And that's another great thing about Mr. T & C, he likes talking about it, too, and he is very observant.
Without a doubt, this has been the shortest summer in my lifetime. I know that--by the calendar--a month of summer remains, but one's mindset seems to shift once the children go back to school. It may still be hot, the pool may still be open, and peaches are still in season, but fresh apples and Halloween costumes are once again on my radar. It's funny how I don't want the summer to end, but after accepting the inevitable, fall begins to seem mighty appealing.
After a major shopfest at Old Navy, Costco, Target, and Staples, we have new jeans that look old, tights without feet, healthy snacks, and Ticonderoga pencils, which really are what they seem to be.
We also have a lizard, which will aid in the fulfillment of the requirements of a Boy Scout merit badge. In addition, to the lizard and his terrarium and sand and daylight and nightlight, we have a carton of crickets and a carton of mealworms snuggled in next to the olives and hummus. I am less than thrilled.
I am thrilled about my new cell phone, the Samsung Propel, which seems capable and rather sleek. All three children were shocked that I sprang for a "cool phone." It seems that my previous phone was nicknamed the "welfare phone," because it "wouldn't do anything." Will, the phone guy, shared this tidbit.
Tomorrow night Mr. T & C and I are going to the Art Museum for cocktails and a tour of the permanent collection. We never do anything like this on a Wednesday night, but I am so looking forward to visiting the Museum and having a really good gallery tour. But, of course, what to wear, what to wear? I want to wear my white wideleg pants with a coral tunic, but it is the middle of the week, and I am sure lots of guests will be coming straight from work. It's a dilemma.
Girl With Lantern
Helen Maria Turner
Blessed to be able to go to church this morning and help with the children's ministry. Those five-year-olds have a lot of energy, or at least a lot more than I have! After a stop at Publix, Mr. T & C decided to make lunch this afternoon, so he deftly whipped up some Philly cheese steaks from the Publix recipe he picked up along with the milk. I have to say, I was doubtful--I'd never bought or eaten a Steak 'um, but the sandwich was quite tasty. Did I look at the ingredient list? Oh no, no, no--some things are just better left alone. I do think Mr. T & C used a bag of frozen stir fry vegetables in his concoction, so at least that was healthy. Really, I'm not quite sure what to think about his wanting to cook--I mean, where does that leave me?! 
After a lovely cup of coffee this morning, I headed to the downtown Saturday Market for some of summer's bounty. Inspired (really re-inspired) by the great Julia Child, I fancied myself strolling the markets of Paris, looking for the perfect ingredients while sharing clever conversation with the locals. Okay, well, sort of. Lots of folks were shopping this morning, young families pushing strollers as well as older couples holding hands and looking over all the beautiful offerings. The scents of coffee and pastries and sizzling sausages were in the air, too. I made a beeline for the fresh flowers, where I bought two bunches of sunflowers. The purveyor told me that they typically lasted about two and a half weeks, which makes the $5 price seem like a bargain. Next, I got in line for the peaches, by far the most popular item this week. I bought a half peck of peaches and a pint of blackberries, and already I regret not buying a quart of those jewels. I'd estimate we've eaten at least two bushels of peaches this summer, and they have all been delicious. Most have been eaten out-of-hand or chopped up on cereal, but we have had a couple of cobblers and one batch of peachy salsa.
After peaches, I headed for vegetables, where I was in the market for tomatoes. I bought a few "regular" tomatoes, and then several heirloom varieties, too. The farmer/seller recommended the Purple Cherokee as a great tomato sandwich tomato, so I will be trying that for lunch tomorrow. Tomorrow evening our dear friends C & T are coming over, and I'm planning a tomato tart, blackberry, pecan, & bleu cheese salad, and peach cobbler for dessert. Needless to say, the sunflowers will be the floral centerpiece--I am hopeful of making a "Paul and Julia Child" type dinner party, which looked so fun in Julie and Julia.
Speaking of which, I did enjoy the movie so much. I had read My Life in France several years ago, and I loved it. I am ashamed to say I haven't tried anything from Mastering the Art of French Cooking, but someday, perhaps. It isn't so much about the cooking for me, as it is about the willingness to share, to be so generous, and to try something new at--let's face it--what's rather late in life. Meryl Streep is amazing as are the sets and the wardrobe and the cinematography. I also loved how marriage shined in this movie! Each spouse supportive and accountable to each other. Truly refreshing to see on the big screen!
